British Information

General Information Area: 59 sq miles (153 sq km) Population: 18,000 : on Language: English Government: British Currency: The Local currency is the Dollar (USD) Electricity: The voltage used is 110-120 Volts (Same as U.S./) Time: UTC/GMT -4 hours. Tourist Information Centre Road Town, Tortola, BVI Tel: (284) 494-3134 Fax: (284) 494-3866 E-mail: [email protected]

Arrival & Departure Two ways to get to Tortola: Fly to Tortola’s Airport; take taxi to the base. Fly to St. Thomas and take the Roadtown Fast Ferry into Roadtown Harbour, Tortola.

Customs & Immigration

A valid passport (for each passenger) and crew list is compulsory for clearance. Expiration date must be no earlier than 6 months after your planned return. A customs declaration form must be completed at the port of entry. IMPORTANT: Signature and Bareboat charters with a hired crew, that intend to visit either the US or Spanish Virgin Islands, need to advise the Moorings Vacation Planning department to advice accordingly.

Airport-Located at Beef Island

Airport Transfers Beef Island Airport to Roadtown Distance is approximately 30 minutes by taxi. For your convenience, you may purchase round-trip tickets for Beef Island Airport transfers in advance of your charter. St. Thomas to Roadtown For your convenience, you may purchase your ferry tickets or a combination of ferry/taxi tickets in advance of your charter. The distance is approximately 60 min by ferry transfer. Please contact our Vacation Planning Team for more details regarding both available options.

The Moorings - Tortola, Hours of Operation 7:00am – 11:00pm / 7 days a week Barbara Daetwyler 888-703-3173

Base Facilities Your comfort is assured by extensive facilities including a restaurant, hotel, gift shop, provisioning store, shower/toilets, rental shops for water sports and portable entertainment products, laundry, car rental, post office and bank ATM.

Moorings Arrival / Departure Procedure

Embarkation: Charters start at 12:00 noon or 6:00pm (with evening start). Briefing Times: Boat/chart Briefings are scheduled at: 9:15am (Mon – Fri) / 8:30am (Sat/Sun) for noon starts; 4:00pm & 7:00pm for evening starts. All head charterers are required to attend the briefings. Disembarkation: All charters end at 12 noon at which time the boat must be returned and ready for debriefing and checks. Late Arrival Procedure The Customer Service Desk is open till 11:00pm. If clients arrive after office hours, a message will be left on the front door indicating where their boat is on the dock.

Taxi

Taxi service available from the airport to the base - approx. 30 minutes. If you purchased transfers through The Moorings, please see "Transfers" for details. Wheatley: 284-496-5120 cell or 284-494-3357 office. The approximate taxi fare to the base from Beef Island airport is $24 roundtrip.

Car Rental

Major car rental agencies, such as Hertz and Budget, well as local ones, are available on Tortola. Client will need a BVI license (US$10), obtainable with a valid driver's license.

Snorkeling or Diving

Snorkeling gear is provided at this location. Please check availability for children’s sizes. You may wish to pack your own snorkeling gear. Scuba diving Rendezvous packages are available through Sail Divers (284-495-1675) and scuba gear rentals are available through Last Stop Sports (284-494-0564) - both facilitators are located onsite at The Moorings Base.

Fishing

Fishing permits are required for any fishing in the BVI. The cost is $60 USD ($45 for the License, plus $15 for the credit card and processing fee) per person and permits are valid for 1 month. No spear fishing allowed. Last Stop Sports is able to process licenses in advance. Please visit www.laststopsports.com for details. A license should be obtained prior to your charter start date. Fishing Season The Closed Season schedule in the Virgin Islands is as follows. During this time no person shall catch, sell, offer for sale or buy. Margate: January 1 - March 31 Red Hind: January 1 - March 31 Nassau Grouper: March 1 - May 31 Turtles: April 1 - November 30 Lobster: July 31 - October 31 Conch: August 15 - October 31 Whelk: August 15 - October 31 Ferry Services Roadtown Fast Ferry Toll free (866) 903 3779 or (866) 90 FERRY, In Tortola call 284 494 2323 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.tortolafastferry.com Cost: $100.00 adult round trip ($80 child) including taxi to and from St Thomas to Road town and back no stops - or $60.00 round trip ($35 child), excluding taxi.

St Thomas to Tortola Monday thru Saturday: 8:30am ferry - Need to arrive in St Thomas by 7:45am 12:00pm ferry – Need to arrive in St Thomas by 11:15am 4:15pm ferry – Need to arrive in St Thomas by 3:30pm Sunday: 12:00pm ferry – Need to arrive in St Thomas by 11:15am 4:15pm ferry – Need to arrive in St Thomas by 3:30pm Need atleast 45 mins or more from the time your flight departs to the ferry departs.

Tortola to St Thomas - NOTE: The Noon Ferry running from Tortola to St. Thomas on Saturday & Sunday will not be operating between Aug 17th - Nov 30th, 2013. Monday thru Friday: 7:00am ferry – Flight needs to depart 10:30am or later 10:00am ferry – Flight needs to depart 1:30pm or later 2:30pm ferry – Flight needs to depart 5:00pm to later Saturday: 7:00am ferry – Flight needs to depart 10:30am or later 10:00am ferry – Flight needs to depart 1:30pm or later 12:00pm ferry – Flight needs to depart 3:30pm or later 2:30pm ferry – Flight needs to depart 5:00pm to later Sunday: 9:00am ferry – Flight needs to depart 12:30pm or later 12:00pm ferry – Flight needs to depart 3:30pm or later 2:30pm ferry – Flight needs to depart 5:00pm to later Need 3 ½ hours from the ferry departing in Tortola to your flight departure time in St Thomas.